When I Look at the Stars
By Brita Crouse
“When I consider Your heavens, the work
of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is
man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?”
Psalm
8:3-4 (NIV)
I live in the city, with bright lights, noisy cars, and plenty
of pollution to go around. Don’t get me wrong, there are benefits to living in
a city, like public transportation, being conveniently located around shops and
restaurants, and always having something to do. But, as someone who grew up
living in the country, city life has been an adjustment for me. I miss trees
and grass and having a yard. The thing I miss most though, is looking up at the
night sky to find it illuminated with stars.
Something about seeing a great, big sky teeming with glowing
stars makes me feel small, makes me remember there is more to this life than
just me and my problems. When I look at the stars I am reminded of the One who
created them.
On a recent trip home to visit my family, I had a sacred,
special moment with God while admiring His stars. Some of my siblings and I had
just gotten back to my parents’ house after a busy day. I was feeling
exhausted, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally, as well. I
stepped out of the car after we had parked in the driveway and glanced toward
the sky. There I saw them: constellations I had studied and memorized, dimly
glowing orbs and brightly shining ones, a canopy of sparkly confetti overhead.
There I remembered: The universe is a reflection of God’s creativity, His
awesomeness, and His love for us.
God is great and we are small, yet He finds each of us
significant and unique, connecting with us in different ways. We can see this
when we look at the stars or other parts of His creation.
When I was caught in that moment with God and the stars, I was
reminded of these lyrics:
“When I look at
the stars
I see Someone
else
When I look at
the stars
I feel like
myself” [1]
When I look at the stars, I see the work of God. When I look at
the stars, I am given perspective and reminded of my purpose.
Let us take the time to look at the stars and be reminded of
God’s greatness, our purpose, and His love for us.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
What do you feel when you look at the stars or other parts of
God’s creation? Take time to stop and praise Him in those moments.
FURTHER READING:
Brita is currently working toward her Master’s in Counseling at
the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has called Oakwood her home church
for the past seventeen years.
[1] Switchfoot.
“Stars.” Nothing is Sound. Sony, 2005. CD.
